Confession of destruction — United Methodist Church, USA

God, keeper of the atoms and stars, you made us collaborators in creation, but we have pilfered the secrets of ordered existence and justified their immoral use in the name of ‘security’ and ‘peace.’ We could say then that we didn’t know the consequences. Now we do know, but we are complacent and silent. Have […]

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Confession, you know us — Cara Heafey, UK

Confession and assurance God of love, you know us inside and out. With you there is no point in hiding or pretending. You invite us into your presence, and we come as we are. We confess that we often forget to listen for your voice. That moments of stillness are few. We hurry about with […]

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May I be a bridge…Daily Prayer–Shantideva, India

Daily Prayer, by Shantideva, Buddhist sage 700 A.D., India Prayer performed each morning by His Holiness the Dalai Lama May I be a guard for those who need protection A guide for those on the path A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood May I be a lamp […]

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Prayer for our fragmented world — Jill Teer, USA

Holy God We come to you as people who love and trust you. We come knowing that your love for the world includes all of us, regardless of our views and opinions. We thank you that we are loved as we are, and we are grateful that you love us too much to leave us […]

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On Epiphany day — Walter Brueggemann

Note: this piece may be attached to a copyright; apologies if this is the case. We are still the people walking. We are still people in the dark, and the darkness looms large around us, beset as we are by fear, anxiety, brutality, violence, loss — a dozen alienations that we cannot manage. We are […]

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Epiphany Evening Conversations — Maren Tirabassi, USA

Epiphany Evening When Mary was really cold, she gave an angry kick to the frankincense jar (flashy gift, but ultimately useless) and then she saw it – ‘Look what the magi really left us! I can start this fire with what fell behind the caravan’s two-toed feet. ‘Something ordinary is the only way to warm […]

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Christmas blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Let us proclaim that we have seen the glory of God believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness which the darkness shall not overcome. May the love of the Creator the joy of the Spirit and the peace of the Christ-child be with you this Christmas, and evermore.

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New Year

What words will we use to usher in a new year? What words express our hopes and visions, our fears and frights, as we look into the year ahead? What words can enable us to release the past year and leave it in peace even as we face our world of war and violence? Newest […]

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We are the Miracles, Advent reflection — Marchae Grair 

For nothing will be impossible with God. – Luke 1:37 I am a miracle. When you look at me, you may see the teenaged girl with pain in her heart and cuts down her arms. Or the empty alcohol bottles and the blurry memories. Or the scars from abandonment and relationship abuse. But if that’s […]

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2023 O little town of Bethlehem, carol — SimpleLivingWorks

O little town of Bethlehem – lyrics for today Carols with Justice, Simple Living Works Verse 1: Phillips Brooks, 1868 Verse 2: John Becker Verse 3: Rae E. Whitney There will be no Christmas tree or traditional festivities in the place of Jesus Christ’s birth this year in response to the thousands killed in the […]

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Longest Night lament & intercessions — Cara Heafey, UK

Appropriate for a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service acknowledging the challenges many people face during the ‘holiday’ season. God, you are not distant from us; you come to us in vulnerability, you offer yourself as a gift of love. God of love, hear our prayer. This night we pray for all who mourn. All […]

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Responding to violence & massacre — several prayers

Words from around the world… What words can be uttered when our thoughts and imaginations are shattered? What words do we say aloud when we gather to worship? What words bring sense to violent senselessness? Perhaps the silence between the words will offer the needed time for sighs and tears. These prayers were originally written […]

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What If, an Advent reflection — Marchaé Grair, USA

Our help is in the name of the Eternal One, the maker of heaven and earth. – Psalm 124:8 ‘What if Martin didn’t stand up? What if Rosa didn’t sit down? … What if Maya didn’t speak out? What if Langston Hughes didn’t write it down?’ In India Arie’s song “What If,” she asks what […]

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Longest Night opening prayer — Cara Heafey, UK

Appropriate for a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service, acknowledging the challenges often faced during the dark seasons of the year. On this longest night of the year, we gather to worship you, our Creator. The prophets tell of a light to the nations; a dawn from on high breaking upon us. The poets speak […]

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Winter Prayer: God’s Timing — Ted Loder

God of all seasons and senses, grant us the sense of your timing to submit gracefully and rejoice quietly in the turn of the seasons. In this season of short days and long nights, of grey and white and cold, teach us the lessons of endings; children growing, friends leaving, loved ones dying, grieving over, […]

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Our violent world, Confession, Advent 2 — Allison Goerke, USA

  In the second week of Advent, churches traditionally light the Candle of Peace.  This prayer of confession might be used in worship on Sunday with this explanation: Several denominations are ‘calling on congregations NOT to light their second Advent candle — in solidarity with all those who are suffering in the war between Israel […]

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Stars of Christmas, poem — Bob Hill, USA

A poem for Christmas and Epiphany This night we steer our paths By lights in holy skies. Like eyes of old, we stare Aloft at certain stars. Pressed hard by cruel tones And ugly, unseemly times, We linger at a star of beauty, A gleaming, affirming fire. To homes and naves we go With children […]

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Angel Intercessions — Ana Gobledale, UK

‘Do not be afraid’ — words of the angels Prayers of Intercession This was originally written for a worship service marking the opening of a week-long Angel Festival. It might be used during Advent, particularly at a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. The word ‘angel’ is not always popular, or sometimes over-popular!  How can […]

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A Very British Nativity – Joint Public Issues Team, UK

  Refugees seeking safety for their families… Mary and Joseph, portrayed by children, seek refuge in the UK.  Visitors from the East find it difficult to bring gifts to the family. This thoughtful video might be used in worship to highlight the difficulties refugees face, as did Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt. Created by […]

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Prayer responding to disaster — Global Ministries, USA

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. (Isaiah 40:1) Holy God, ever present, our hearts are once again heavy as we watch this disaster unfold. We pray comfort for those who have lost loved ones and remember those who have lost their lives, commending their souls to your care. In the midst of this […]

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To love as you love, hymn — Sam Goodman, UK

Tune: St Andrew, ‘Jesus calls us o’er the tumult’ Written in Derby Cathedral under the ‘Peace Doves’ sculpture Come, inspire our lives with mercy Bring your peace on wings of doves Take us to a place where we can Learn to love as you love us May your message live within us Words to comfort […]

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Christmas Hope — William Stephenson, USA

O God, At the darkest time of the year comes the brightest of Hope. Let the gladness of its coming and the hope of its promise be warm within us. To embrace this Hope is to believe that someday there shall be A world of goodwill from which all cruelty is gone. A world in […]

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Advent

What words herald the Advent season? Familiar?  New? Light-hearted?  Reflective? Confessional?  Hopeful? Here are Advent worship resources from around the world to explore and use. Scroll down to find: Advent prayers and worship resources Advent songs, carols & music Complete services, Dramas, Nativities and Christmas Pageants Link to Advent images Blue Christmas resources Advent prayers […]

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Reign of Christ, Intercessions — Cara Heafey, UK

Originally written for Reign of Christ Sunday*,  the last Sunday of the Church Year. God of love: hear our prayer. This morning we think about those who hold positions of power. We ask that you bless them with wisdom, convict them with conscience and afflict them with compassion for all those who are affected by […]

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St Andrew’s Day — 30 November

What words do we use to commemorate saints of old? What words connect to the swelling pride of a nation commemorating a patron saint? What lyrics might the drone of a bagpipe arouse in us?   St Andrew’s Day 30 November is Scotland’s national day commemorating St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. St Andrew […]

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Interlude for Gratitude – Jim Burklo, USA

Thankfulness is the fruit of humility and gratitude plants the seed of deeper humility that opens hearts and minds to more for which to be grateful Giving thanks to another human being ennobles the giver and the receiver dignifies everyday exchanges and clears the way for love Giving thanks for what is received from a […]

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Transgender Day of Remembrance, 20 Nov

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on 20 November honouring the memory of those whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Newest ‘Transgender Day of Remembrance’ posts . . . (images link to posts) ‘The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a […]

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Hold — Sam Goodman, UK

Teach me the habits that love you Show me the visions that ring true Shower on me the light that shines through In all of this hold me Give me the courage to reach out Help me to challenge where I find doubt Let me grow so I am curious about How you are holding […]

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Thanksgiving prayer — Ana Gobledale, UK

Great Spirit, For the beauty of the earth we give thanks. For the streaks of morning sun we give thanks. For the warmth of family and friends we give thanks. Power of Love, Link us together in love. Shower our day with hope and joy. Create in us a commitment to extend your welcome to all, […]

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Fall Equinox in Ojai – Jim Burklo, USA

The sun slips a bright note under my door: Its announcement of the season’s arrival. I stare at it reverently. A quietude falls over the valley: All is caught in a hush, a pause, Languid in autumnal bliss, Receiving the blessing of the bowing sun. The sandstone boulders in the canyons Are bathed in the […]

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Prayer for religious tolerance – Cara Heafey, UK

Who shall we say that you are? Quiet God, Who comes in silence Vulnerable God, Who comes in frailty Elusive God, Wrapped in mystery Who shall we say that you are? We speak of you with many names, Knowing that none will hold you. Remind us, when we need reminding, that our words, creeds and […]

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Necessary Fall, autumn prayer – David Long-Higgins, USA

Loving God, Help me savour the season Of foliage falling all around Bearing beauty in dying Slowly turning the green Into yellow, red, and orange A Holy Fire of sense and spirit. Let it pause me into wonder At cycles revealing life large An outer and inner motion Bearing birth and death In constant conversation […]

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Wedding words, an option

We have gathered here in the presence of the Divine to celebrate the wedding of AB and CD. We come to rejoice with them and to support them with our prayers. Marriage is both a divine gift and calling, not to be entered into lightly nor thoughtlessly, but reverently and responsibly. Through marriage, couples may […]

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Eclipse — Steve Garnaas-Holmes, USA

Womb of light from whom we shine, but whom we cannot see but by looking away, only the unseen hides you, eye of darkness, ring of light, mystery of day’s bright night. We too are you, eclipsed. Let our horror of losing you remain. What conceals you reveals you, but only the merest edges of […]

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